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Born: December 20, 1869 – Died: February 2, 1956
Charley Grapewin, whose career spanned from a circus performer to a beloved film actor, was born in 1869 in Xenia, Ohio. His journey into entertainment, beginning with his work as an aerialist and trapeze artist.
Early Life and Career
Grapewin's transition from circus arts to acting was marked by his involvement in various stock companies. Additionally, he showcased his creativity by writing and starring in his own stage plays. This period was also significant in his personal life, as he married actress Anna Chance around the turn of the century. The couple's union, lasting until Anna's death 47 years later, was a highlight of his personal life, though they had no children.
Grapewin's film career blossomed when he was 60 years old, bringing to life memorable characters often set in rustic backdrops. His portrayal of Uncle Henry in "The Wizard of Oz" and Grandpa Joad in The Grapes of Wrath are among his most iconic roles. Additionally, his performances in "The Petrified Forest" and "Alice Adams" further solidified his status in Hollywood.
Despite the late start, Grapewin's impact on the film industry was profound, gracing over 100 films with his warm, folksy presence. His ability to infuse humor and heart into his roles made him a favorite among audiences and critics alike. Charley Grapewin passed away in 1956, leaving behind a legacy as one of the versatile and endearing character actors of his time, whose work continues to be celebrated and remembered.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1951 | When I Grow Up | Grandpa Reed |
| 1949 | Sand | Doug |
| 1948 | The Enchanted Valley | Grandpa |
| 1947 | Gunfighters | Inskip |
| 1944 | The Impatient Years | Benjamin L. Pidgeon - Bellboy |
| 1944 | Atlantic City | Jake Taylor |
| 1944 | Follow the Boys | Nick West |
| 1943 | Crash Dive | Pop (uncredited) |
| 1942 | Enemy Agents Meet Ellery Queen | Inspector Richard Queen |
| 1942 | A Desperate Chance for Ellery Queen | Insp. Queen |
| 1942 | A Close Call for Ellery Queen | Inspector Queen |
| 1941 | They Died with Their Boots On | California Joe |
| 1941 | Ellery Queen and the Murder Ring | Insp. Queen |
| 1941 | Ellery Queen and the Perfect Crime | Insp. Queen |
| 1941 | Ellery Queen's Penthouse Mystery | Inspector Richard Queen |
| 1941 | Tobacco Road | Jeeter |
| 1940 | Texas Rangers Ride Again | Ranger Ben Caldwalder |
| 1940 | Ellery Queen, Master Detective | Insp. Queen |
| 1940 | Rhythm on the River | Uncle Caleb |
| 1940 | Earthbound | Mr. Whimser |
| 1940 | Johnny Apollo | Judge Emmett T. Brennan |
| 1940 | *The Grapes of Wrath* | Grandpa |
| 1939 | Sabotage | Major Matt Grayson |
| 1939 | Hero for a Day | Uncle Frank 'Lucky' Higgins |
| 1939 | Dust Be My Destiny | Pop |
| 1939 | The Wizard of Oz | Uncle Henry |
| 1939 | The Man Who Dared | Ulysses Porterfield |
| 1939 | Sudden Money | Grandpa Casey Patterson |
| 1939 | Burn 'Em Up O'Connor | 'Doc' Heath |
| 1939 | Stand Up and Fight | 'Old Puff' |
| 1938 | Artists and Models Abroad | James Harper |
| 1938 | Listen, Darling | Uncle Joe |
| 1938 | Three Loves Has Nancy | Grandpa Briggs |
| 1938 | The Shopworn Angel | Wilson - Caretaker (scenes deleted) |
| 1938 | Three Comrades | Local Doctor |
| 1938 | The Girl of the Golden West | Uncle Davy |
| 1938 | Of Human Hearts | Jim Meeker |
| 1937 | The Bad Man of Brimstone | Barney Lane |
| 1937 | Big City | The Mayor |
| 1937 | Bad Guy | Dan Gray |
| 1937 | Broadway Melody of 1938 | James K. Blakeley |
| 1937 | Between Two Women | Dr. Webster |
| 1937 | Captains Courageous | Uncle Salters |
| 1937 | A Family Affair | Frank Redmond |
| 1937 | The Good Earth | Old Father |
| 1936 | Sinner Take All | Aaron Lampier |
| 1936 | Without Orders | J.P. Kendrick |
| 1936 | Libeled Lady | Mr. Bane |
| 1936 | Small Town Girl | Dr. Ned Fabre |
| 1936 | The Voice of Bugle Ann | Cal Royster |
| 1936 | The Petrified Forest | Gramp Maple |
| 1935 | Ah Wilderness! | Dave McComber (as Charles Grapewin) |
| 1935 | Super-Speed | Terry Devlin |
| 1935 | Rendezvous | Martin |
| 1935 | King Solomon of Broadway | Uncle Winchester |
| 1935 | Alice Adams | J. A. Lamb |
| 1935 | Shanghai | Truesdale |
| 1935 | One Frightened Night | Jasper Whyte |
| 1935 | Party Wire | Will Oliver (as Charles Grapewin) |
| 1935 | Eight Bells | Grayson |
| 1935 | In Spite of Danger | Pop Sullivan |
| 1934 | Anne of Green Gables | Dr. Tatum |
| 1934 | The President Vanishes | Richard Norton |
| 1934 | Judge Priest | Sergeant Jimmy Bagby |
| 1934 | Return of the Terror | Jessup |
| 1934 | The Loudspeaker | Pop Calloway |
| 1934 | She Made Her Bed | Joe Olesen |
| 1934 | No More West (Short) | Judge (uncredited) |
| 1934 | The Quitter | Ed Tilford |
| 1934 | Caravan | Notary |
| 1934 | Two Alone | Sandy Roberts |
| 1933 | Hell and High Water | Peck Wealin |
| 1933 | Female | Drunk at Hamburger Stand (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Wild Boys of the Road | Mr. Cadman (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Torch Singer | Judson |
| 1933 | Beauty for Sale | Freddy Gordon (as Charles Grapewin) |
| 1933 | Turn Back the Clock | Dr. Henderson (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Pilgrimage | Dad Saunders |
| 1933 | Don't Bet on Love | Pop McCaffery |
| 1933 | Midnight Mary | Clerk (as Charles Grapewin) |
| 1933 | Heroes for Sale | Pa Dennis (as Charles Grapewin) |
| 1933 | The Kiss Before the Mirror | Schultz (as Charles Grapewin) |
| 1933 | Hello, Everybody! | Jed |
| 1932 | No Man of Her Own | Clerk |
| 1932 | Wild Horse Mesa | Sam Bass |
| 1932 | The Night of June 13 | 'Grandpop' Jeptha Strawn (as Charles Grapewin) |
| 1932 | American Madness | Mr. Jones (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Lady and Gent | Grocer (as Charles Grapewin) |
| 1932 | The Washington Masquerade | Senator Simmons (uncredited) |
| 1932 | The Woman in Room 13 | Andy |
| 1932 | Huddle | Doctor (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Are You Listening? | Pierce (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Disorderly Conduct | Limpy |
| 1932 | The Big Timer | Pop Baldwin (as Charles Grapewin) |
| 1932 | Hell's House | Henry Clark (as Charles Grapewin) |
| 1931 | For the Love of Fanny (Short) | Professor |
| 1931 | Heaven on Earth | Doc Boax (as Charles Grapewin) |
| 1931 | Gold Dust Gertie | Nicholas Hautrey (as Charles Grapewin) |
| 1931 | The Millionaire | Ed Powers (as Charles Grapewin) |
| 1930 | Only Saps Work | Simeon Tanner |
| 1930 | The Bearded Lady (Short) | Carnival Barker |
| 1929 | That Red-Headed Hussy (Short) | Unknown |
| 1929 | The Shannons of Broadway | Swanzey |
| 1929 | Ladies' Choice (Short) | Unknown |
| 1929 | House Cleaning (Short) | Unknown |
| 1929 | Jed's Vacation (Short) | Unknown |
| 1900 | Chimmie Hicks and the Rum Omelet (Short) | Chimmie Hicks |
| 1900 | Above the Limit (Short) | Chimmie Hicks |